Alright, let’s talk about them Christmas teas, the kind that warm your belly and make you feel all cozy inside. You know, the ones that taste better than store-bought stuff, the ones you make with your own two hands. I ain’t no fancy chef, mind you, just a plain ol’ woman who likes a good cuppa.
First off, you gotta have some peppermint tea. That’s a must-have for Christmas. I ain’t talkin’ ‘bout that weak tea in them little bags neither. I mean the real deal, the stuff you make with actual peppermint leaves if you can get your hands on ‘em. If not, well, the bags will do in a pinch, but make sure it’s strong.
- Get yourself a pot, a nice big one.
- Boil some water, real hot.
- Throw in a handful of peppermint leaves, or a few tea bags if that’s all you got. Don’t be stingy now.
- Let it steep for a good long while, five minutes at least. The longer it steeps, the stronger it gets, just the way I like it.
Now, if you want to get real fancy, you can make somethin’ called Peppermint White Hot Chocolate. I heard about it from them city folk. Sounds complicated, but it ain’t.
Here’s what you do for that Peppermint White Hot Chocolate, my way:
- Get yourself some milk, the whole milk kind, none of that watery skim stuff.
- Pour it in a pot and heat it up slow, don’t want it scorchin’ on the bottom.
- Chop up some white chocolate, the good kind, and toss it in. Stir it good till it’s all melted and smooth.
- Then you add your peppermint, a little bit at a time till it tastes just right. You can use peppermint extract if you got it, or just strong peppermint tea.
- If you want to make it extra special, you can add a dollop of whipped cream on top and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes. But that’s just if you’re feelin’ fancy.
Another good one is Spiced White Hot Chocolate. This one’s got a bit of a kick to it, warms you up right down to your toes.
To make Spiced White Hot Chocolate, the easy way, I do this:
- Same as before, start with whole milk in a pot.
- Heat it up slow, don’t rush it.
- Add your white chocolate, chopped up fine. Stir, stir, stir till it’s melted and creamy.
- Now comes the spices. I use a pinch of cinnamon, a little bit of nutmeg, and a tiny bit of ginger. You can add more or less, depending on how spicy you like it.
- Some folks like to add a little bit of vanilla extract too, makes it taste extra good.
And then there’s somethin’ called Homemade Mint White Hot Chocolate. Sounds a lot like that peppermint one, but this one’s got a different kinda mint. I guess. Anyways, here’s how I’d make it if I was so inclined:
Homemade Mint White Hot Chocolate, simple and quick:
- Heat up your whole milk. Don’t let it boil over, now.
- Add your white chocolate, bit by bit, stirrin’ all the while.
- For the mint, you can use fresh mint leaves if you got ‘em, or mint extract. If you’re using fresh leaves, crush ‘em up a bit to get the flavor out.
- Stir it all together till it’s smooth and hot. You can add a little bit of sugar if it ain’t sweet enough for ya, but I like it just the way it is.
So there you have it, a few Christmas tea recipes, simple enough for anyone to make. Ain’t nothin’ fancy, just good ol’ fashioned teas to warm you up on a cold winter’s night. You can add marshmallows or whipped cream if you like, or just drink it plain. It’s all up to you. Just remember to make it with love, that’s the most important ingredient.
And don’t forget to share. There’s nothin’ better than sittin’ around with your family and friends, sippin’ on a hot cup of tea and sharin’ some stories. That’s what Christmas is all about, ain’t it?
Tags: [christmas tea, peppermint tea, white hot chocolate, spiced hot chocolate, mint hot chocolate, holiday drinks, winter beverages, easy recipes, homemade drinks, christmas recipes]
